Cyclone Gezani Slams Madagascar Coast. Toamasina, Madagascar — Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar’s east coast late Tuesday, bringing winds estimated at 250 km/h and cutting power to Toamasina hours before landfall, according to local reports. Residents described roofs torn away, streets under water and masonry walls of concrete homes giving way.
“Everything is devastated … the walls of solid houses have collapsed,” a Toamasina resident told AFP during a brief restoration of phone service.
The same source noted the damage extended to “nice neighbourhoods, with well-built houses. ” Meteo Madagascar placed five eastern and central regions under red alert early Wednesday, warning of “widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides” as the system tracks west toward the central highlands.
The national service expects the storm to re — enter the Mozambique Channel between Maintirano and Morondava by Thursday evening, raising the prospect of renewed strengthening.
The French forecasting centre CMRS on Réunion Island confirmed Toamasina port lay “directly under the most intense part” of the cyclone. CMRS suggested satellite records rank its landfall among the strongest in the basin since 1994.
Independent observers say electricity failed across Toamasina by mid — afternoon Tuesday, while intermittent communications have limited official damage assessments.
No casualty figures have been released so far.
The cyclone follows Tropical Cyclone Fytia, which struck northwestern Madagascar on 31 January, leaving 12 people dead and damaging or destroying more than 18,000 houses, according to UN agency OCHA.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who heads the transitional administration installed after October’s military takeover, plans to visit Toamasina once conditions permit, official statements indicate. Meteorologists warn heavy rain will persist over the highlands through Thursday, keeping landslide and river-flood risks elevated.
Further details are expected as survey teams reach affected areas.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
